초록 ▼

An electronic timing label for indicating the expiration of a time period associated with a particular article. The label comprises a pulse generator and a binary counter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a series of pulses at a predetermined pulse rate, and the counter is configured to

An electronic timing label for indicating the expiration of a time period associated with a particular article. The label comprises a pulse generator and a binary counter. The pulse generator is configured to generate a series of pulses at a predetermined pulse rate, and the counter is configured to count from an initial count number in response to the series of pulses and to generate an expiration signal upon reaching a final count number. The number of counts between the initial and final count numbers, and the pulse rate, are chosen to establish a counting time for the counter which corresponds to the time period associated with the article. The label also comprises a display for indicating the expiration of the time period, a programming port for directing programming pulses to the counter, and some mechanism for affixing the label to an application surface associated with the article.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electronic timing label for indicating the expiration of a time period associated with an article, said label comprising:a pulse generator, configured to generate a series of pulses at a predetermined pulse rate;a first binary counter having a clock input to which the

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An electronic timing label for indicating the expiration of a time period associated with an article, said label comprising:a pulse generator, configured to generate a series of pulses at a predetermined pulse rate;a first binary counter having a clock input to which the series of pulses from said pulse generator are operatively coupled, said first counter having a most significant bit output;a second binary counter having a clock input to which the most significant bit output of said first counter is operatively coupled, said second count having a most significant bit output,said first and said second counters being configured together as a two-stage binary counter which counts from an initial count number to a final count number in response to the series of pulses, the number of counts between the initial and final count numbers and the pulse rate being chosen to establish a counting time which corresponds to the time period associated with the article, the two-stage counter being configured to generate an expiration signal at the most significant bit output of said second counter upon reaching the final count number;indicator means, operatively coupled to the most significant bit of said second counter, for indicating the expiration of the time period in response to the expiration signal;a programming port, operatively coupled to the clock input of said first binary counter, for directing programing pulses to said first counter to preset the number of counts in the two-stage counter between the initial and final count numbers; andmeans for affixing said electronic timing label to an application surface associated with the article.